Minnesota Vikings: Top 20 games in franchise history
By Dan Zinski
Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; A detail of a Minnesota Vikings helmet on the field before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
13. Vikings win first-ever playoff game
Getting to the NFL playoffs is one thing. Winning a playoff game is another. This was a tough lesson that the Minnesota Vikings learned early on in their existence. After winning their division and reaching the playoffs in 1968, the team fell short in the playoffs and were knocked out in the opening round against the Baltimore Colts.
Minnesota returned to the playoffs in 1969, but this time, they were able to come up with a win.
On December 27. 1969, Minnesota managed to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 20-23 at the Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the Western Conference Championship Game to earn their first ever playoff victory.
Minnesota trailed through much of the game. At halftime, they were behind 7-17 and were losing 14-20 in the 4th quarter before Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp ran in a 2 yard touchdown and Fred Cox added the extra point, giving the boys in purple a one point lead.
The Vikings weren’t done there though, as Minnesota made sure they would win the game when Carl Eller sacked Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel in the end zone for a safety on the freezing cold 10-degree day.
Minnesota would go on to became the 1st modern NFL expansion team to win an NFL Championship Game that season, cementing their place in the NFL’s history books.